Shadows of blackwood manor

Chapter 1

Judith's point of view

Damn!

I can't seem to wrap my head around this mess.

How can Dan - the man who broke my heart and abandoned me when I told him I was pregnant - turn out to be Ethan's brother?

I can't believe this!

The question screamed through my mind as I rushed out of the crowded living room of the Blackwood estate, my red dress swinging against my legs.

My heels clicked sharply on the marble hallway floor, the sound echoing louder than the laughter and clinking glasses fading behind me.

My chest heaved with every ragged breath.

I pressed my back against the cool wall, trying to steady myself, but the image wouldn't let me think straight.

Dan had just walked into the welcome-back party organised for him like he owned the night.

Of course he did - but I still couldn't believe he was the one we had all been expecting.

Same sharp jaw, same storm-gray eyes, same devastating smile that once made me believe in forever and fall too deeply in love.

He was identical to the man whose arm had been wrapped possessively around my waist only minutes earlier - Ethan Blackwood.

The ruthless billionaire I had agreed to marry in a desperate contract.

Four years ago, Dan had vanished right after I showed him the positive pregnancy test. I had blocked him everywhere in my anger and pain, vowing never to fall in love again while raising our secret daughter, Lily, alone.

Now he was back in London, and his twin brother had just offered me millions to become his wife for one year.

Footsteps approached.

Heavy.

Fast.

"Judith."

The voice stopped me cold.

Not Ethan's cold command - this one carried raw shock and desire.

I turned slowly.

Dan stood at the end of the hallway, breathing hard, as if he had pushed through the crowd just to chase me. His storm-gray eyes - so familiar yet so different from his brother's icy gaze - burned with desperate recognition.

"Judith... Oh God, it's really you."

He took a careful step closer, hands slightly raised.

"I've been searching for you for years.

After you told me about the pregnancy... I never meant to disappear like that." His voice was calm but laced with genuine sincerity.

"There were things - my father's business collapsing, threats from his enemies.

He forced me to leave the country that same night.

I tried to reach you, but you had blocked me everywhere.

I swear I didn't abandon you on purpose."

His voice cracked with real pain.

For a moment, the old memories flooded back - stolen nights, his laughter against my skin, the way he once made me feel safe.

I felt my anger waver as understanding began to dawn.

He hadn't willingly left me.

He had been torn away.

"I... I didn't know," I whispered, my voice softening.

"I thought you just didn't want us."

Dan's eyes filled with relief.

He moved closer, drawn by the years of painful separation.

"I never stopped thinking about you.

Or our child."

His hand gently reached for mine.

"Judith, please... tell me about the baby.

Is it a boy or a girl? Is my child doing fine?"

My heart squeezed tightly.

Before I could answer, he stepped even closer, his familiar scent wrapping around me like a warm memory.

His free hand rose to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin with aching tenderness.

"I've missed you so much," he murmured, leaning in slowly, his lips just an inch from mine.

Just as his breath mingled with mine -

"Dan."

The voice cut through the hallway like ice.

Ethan appeared from the opposite end, tall and imposing in his tailored black suit.